TAED Detergent Additive with Neutralized Copolymer for Hydrolysis Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) loses effectiveness in liquid detergent formulations due to hydrolysis, making it unsuitable for aqueous systems, and a detergent additive suitable for both TAED and triacetylethylenediamine (TriAED) is needed for liquid detergents.
Innovation Solution
A detergent additive comprising TAED or TriAED combined with a copolymer having maleic anhydride-based repeat units and either olefinic or styrenic-based repeat units, where at least a portion of the maleic anhydride units are neutralized, enhancing hydrolytic stability and long-term effectiveness in aqueous formulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TAED is used in liquid detergent formulations containing water, then it provides peroxy bleach activating function, but it undergoes hydrolysis and loses effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a water-soluble polymer as an intermediary carrier to deliver TAED to the fabric. The polymer protects TAED from direct contact with water during storage, preventing hydrolysis, while still allowing TAED to function when released on the fabric surface during washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of TAED from free powder to polymer-bound form, and controls the release timing through pH-triggered degradation of the polymer. This parameter change allows TAED to remain stable in aqueous storage conditions while becoming active under washing conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If TAED is used in solid detergent products, then it maintains stability, but users prefer liquid formulations for ease of use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical form of the detergent from solid to liquid by using a water-soluble polymer to carry TAED. This allows the formulation to be liquid and easy to use while maintaining stability through the polymer protection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble polymer acts as an intermediary that enables TAED to exist stably in liquid formulation without requiring solid matrix support, thus providing both liquid convenience and storage stability.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If TAED is encapsulated to prevent hydrolysis, then long-term stability is improved, but the active may not be released effectively during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the polymer structure changes in response to pH conditions. The polymer remains intact during storage but degrades and releases TAED when exposed to the pH conditions of washing, ensuring both stability and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pH as a trigger parameter to control TAED release. The polymer is stable at storage pH but degrades at washing pH, automatically regulating the release timing to ensure TAED is released when needed for bleach activation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The additive provides enhanced long-term stability and effectiveness of TAED in aqueous detergent systems, ensuring its peroxy bleach activating function is maintained during use in washing machines.
Implementation Method 1
TAED, in liquid detergent formulations which contain in part water, will undergo hydrolysis and lose effectiveness as a detergent active
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent additive comprising an active, the active comprising one or both of tetraacetylethylenediamine or triacetylethylenediamine; and a copolymer having maleic anhydride-based repeat units and either or both of olefinic or styrenic-based repeat units; and wherein at least a portion of the maleic anhydride-based repeat units are neutralized.